R2P in Focus is a monthly publication from the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect designed to highlight recent events and political developments concerning the Responsibility to Protect (R2P).

Peacekeeping and R2P

Photo credit: MONUSCO

Peacekeepers are increasingly called upon to uphold the international community’s Responsibility to Protect (R2P) populations from atrocities. Many peacekeeping missions operate in active conflict zones where the risk factors for mass atrocity crimes are present. Currently, nine out of fifteen UN peacekeeping operations have Protection of Civilians (PoC) at the core of their mandates. Mandates for the UN peacekeeping operations in the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan and Mali go beyond solely focusing on PoC and also reference a state’s primary responsibility to protect its population from mass atrocity crimes. Some also call upon the mission to assist in holding perpetrators accountable.

On 10 and 11 July the Global Centre hosted a workshop on Peacekeeping, Civilian Protection and R2P at the CUNY Graduate Center in New York. The meeting, moderated by the Global Centre’s Deputy Executive Director, Savita Pawnday, brought together representatives from the UN, former UN Mission Force Commanders, academics and civil society to discuss the current training gaps for UN Peacekeepers regarding mass atrocity prevention.

This workshop is part of a broader two-year project being undertaken by the Global Centre with support from the Government of Canada. For more information, please see our website for updates.

Launch of the Plan of Action for Religious Leaders to Prevent Mass Atrocity Crimes

On 14 July the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and R2P, in cooperation with the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID), the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers and the World Council of Churches, launched the Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement to Violence that Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes. Opened by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, and the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, the event featured religious leaders and civil society activists from around the world.

In many conflict zones religious leaders and faith communities play an essential role in mediation and reconciliation efforts. Together with the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN and the UN Office on Genocide
Prevention and R2P, the Global Centre will co-host a high-level event during the Opening of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly, with a focus on the implementation of the Plan of Action.

Any Other Business

International action needed over Burundi now. On 26 July Dominique Fraser, the Global Centre's Geneva-based Research Analyst, published an article in
IRIN news urging the international community to take urgent action to address the situation in Burundi.

Statement on the World Day for International Justice. On 14 July the Global Centre released a statement
to mark the World Day for International Justice. The statement calls upon the international community to live up to their obligations under international law and ensure justice for the victims of the most egregious crimes.

The AK-47, the Responsibility to Protect and the Arms Trade Treaty. On 26 June the third issue of the R2P Student Journal
was released. The issue included a forward from the Global Centre’s Executive Director, Dr. Simon Adams, which highlighted the link between the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and the commission of mass atrocities.

Accountability, International Justice and the Responsibility to Protect.On 7 June Dr. Adams delivered remarks at a UN Human Rights Council side-event on "Accountability and Prevention of Mass Atrocities – The Link to R2P."

2018-2019 UN Security Council Elections and the Responsibility to Protect.On 2 June the UN General Assembly elected Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Kuwait, Peru and Poland to the UN Security Council for 2018-2019. The Global Centre compiled profiles on each of the newly-elected Security Council members that provide an account of their engagement with R2P.

Statement on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. On 29 May the Global Centre released a
statement on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers paying tribute to peacekeepers deployed around the world and recognizing the sacrifice of those who have lost their lives in the service of peace and the protection of civilians.